Results of 7.06: Consequences of the hydroelectric power station explosion and a new threat

There is growing fear of a new chemical disaster in Ukraine in the world. The day before, Russian troops bombarded the world’s largest ammonia pipeline, Tolyatti-Odessa, for the second time in two days. As a result of enemy strikes, the pipeline was depressurized and 134 tons of ammonia leaked. The pipeline incident came less than 48 hours after Russia blew up the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant and blamed Ukraine for it. The scenario was repeated with the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline. The Ukrainian authorities assure that the situation is under control at the moment, but they do not rule out that a disaster could occur due to another attack by the Russians, as technically ammonia remains in the pipeline.

As a result of the flood in Oleshki, which occurred after the explosion of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, three people died. This was announced by the mayor Evgeniy Ryshchuk. “I think there are many more. Many people are chained to the bed, without legs, how can someone without legs climb the roof?” Ryshchuk said. He also said that the city is flooded by 90%, and the water level in some streets reaches three meters.

In the Kherson region, as a result of the destruction of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, 20 settlements and almost 2,000 houses on the right bank of the Dnieper River were flooded. As of 11:30 am, 1,548 people have been evacuated from the region. At the same time, 74 local residents were rescued the previous day, including two children.

Ukrhydroenergo predicts the expansion of the flood. After the Russian invaders blow up the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station, the water level continues to rise. But in the next few days, the width of the flood will also increase. This was said by the General Director of Ukrhydroenergo Igor Sirota. According to his forecast, it is not the height of the flood that will increase, but the width. Ukrhydroenergo reported that they will begin storing water in upper reservoirs on the Dnieper in an attempt to reduce the scale of the disaster.

Ukraine will provide the International Criminal Court (ICC) with all necessary information about Russia’s bombing of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station. This was announced by the Office of the Attorney General. Ukraine is ready to cooperate with the ISS and provide all necessary evidence collected by prosecutors to bring to justice all those responsible for the explosion of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station.

The UN destroying the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station has been called a disaster. The collapse of the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam caused by the explosion is perhaps the most significant damage to civilian infrastructure since the start of a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine. This is what UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Assistance and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said. “The scale of the crash caused by the Russians blowing up the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station dam will become clear in the coming days,” he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the hydroelectric power station with Zelensky and Putin. Erdogan spoke by phone with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and head of the Russian regime Vladimir Putin. Erdogan suggested creating a commission with the participation of “experts from the warring parties, the UN and the international community, in particular Turkey, to investigate in detail the explosion at the dam of the Kakhovskaya hydroelectric power station.” The Turkish President also promised to do everything possible on this issue and said that it is possible to use the method of negotiation, such as the grain corridor.

The European Union has activated a civil protection mechanism to help Ukraine in connection with the destruction of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power station and is sending the necessary equipment and machinery. The EU is already sending aid through the civil protection mechanism thanks to initial offers from Germany, Austria and Lithuania. Germany offered 5 thousand water filters and 56 generators, Austria – 20 water containers and ten pumps for mud water, which were sent to Ukraine. In addition, Lithuania and Germany also offered accommodation equipment, including tents, beds and blankets.

The price of natural gas in Ukraine in May 2023 reached UAH 11,163.77 per 1,000 cubic meters without VAT, which is 22.4% lower than a month earlier. According to the Ministry of Economy, the average price fell to the lowest since the beginning of calculating the indicator in March last year. Over the past year, the price has nearly tripled. As of May 2022, it will be UAH 31,175 per 1,000 cubic meters without VAT.

The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Alexei Danilov said that the Russians will not delay the counteroffensive of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in any way. “As for the offensive, it will take place according to our plan. When it is determined at the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander. And these actions of theirs (we are talking about weakening the hydroelectric power station of the Russians – ed .) do not interfere with our offensive,” said Danilov. According to him, Ukraine has its own plans for a counter-offensive, and they have not been disclosed, but it will not take long to wait.